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Ohio roads busiest Thanksgiving weekend

ODOT Thanksgiving Holiday Traffic Advisory

COLUMBUS (Tuesday, November 22, 2011) – According to an Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) analysis of Thanksgiving weekend crash data, motorists are far more likely to be involved in a crash the evening before Thanksgiving and the evening the Sunday following. Traffic volumes typically spike nearly 70 percent in Ohio over the five-day holiday travel weekend.

Last year, Ohio had 3,229 collisions starting Wednesday evening of the holiday through Sunday, with 83 injuries and 16 fatalities. The total crashes for the holiday in 2010 rose from the 2009 total.

“Notably, when looking at the total collisions during Thanksgivings from 2006 to 2010, more than half were caused by driver behavior, such as becoming distracted or following too closely,” said ODOT Director Jerry Wray.

To reduce injuries and fatalities, ODOT advises motorists to first buckle up; leave plenty of room between cars, allow extra time for traffic delays, and plan ahead.

The following is a list of major highway construction projects with various lane restrictions across the state:

CENTRAL OHIO

Interstate 270, Franklin County

Major reconstruction is underway on the southwest side of Franklin County.Three lanes will be maintained in each direction between Roberts Rd. and Broad St. One of the three southbound lanes will be a contraflow lane.

For the I-270 project, the contraflow lane begins just south of Roberts Rd. and means the left lane of southbound traffic will cross over to the northbound side of the road. A portable barrier wall will separate the southbound contraflow lane and the three northbound lanes.

Motorists travelling southbound who wish to exit at I-70 or Broad St. should stay in the right two lanes of I-270 south. The contraflow lane can be used as an express lane for those who do not wish to exit at I-70 or Broad St.

Two lanes will be maintained in each direction between Broad St. and U.S. 62. All ramps will remain open.

The speed limit through the work zone will be reduced to 55 mph so drivers should allow for extra time for their commute and remain alert since this is a seven mile construction zone.

Interstate 670/71, Franklin County

Major construction is underway on Interstates 71 and 670 just north of downtown Columbus. Two lanes maintained on I- 670 and I-71.The speed limit has been reduced to 45 mph through the zone. A number of exits to downtown are closed but you can still access I-670 and I-71. Detours are less than three miles and detour and re-routes are signed both on the interstates and city streets. Visit www.odot71670.org for more information.

WESTERN OHIO

Interstate 75, West Carrollton, Montgomery County

I-75 in the area of the East Central Ave. and Dixie Dr. Interchange is under renovation. Motorists will encounter a construction zone in both directions on I-75. Three lanes of traffic will remain open to motorists in each direction during holiday travel.

Interstate 70, Clark County

I-70 between SR 72 and U.S. 40 is undergoing a lane addition. Motorists will encounter construction zones in both directions on I-70. Two lanes of traffic will remain open to motorists in each direction during holiday travel.

Interstate 75, Dayton, Montgomery County

I-75 from Main St. to Stanley Ave. and from Edwin C. Moses Blvd. to Fifth St. has construction zones due to the modernization of the interstate through the city of Dayton. Two lanes of traffic will remain open to motorists in each direction during holiday travel.

NORTHERN OHIO

State Route 2, Lorain CountySR 2, between Baumhart Rd. and Oak Point Rd., is restricted to one lane of traffic in each direction as part of bridge repair project. All lanes of SR 2 are expected to reopen in late Nov. 2011.

NORTHEASTERN OHIO

Interstate 90, Lake County

Traffic on I-90 between Paine Rd. and the Ashtabula County line is shifted utilizing temporary crossovers. One lane of I-90 eastbound traffic will be using I-90 westbound.

State Route 2, Lake County

Several projects along SR 2 are currently underway. SR 2 between Newell St. and the Grand River is restricted to one lane in each direction.

Interstate 90, Cuyahoga County

I-90 Innerbelt Bridge through downtown Cleveland remains open; however, multiple entrance and exit ramps along the downtown corridor are closed or restricted as crews work to construct a new westbound I-90 Innerbelt Bridge. Visit www.Innerbelt.org for more information.

NORTHWESTERN OHIO

Interstate 475, Lucas County

Expect lane restrictions in both directions on I-475, from I-75 to Monroe St. for reconstruction. Various ramps are closed within the project. Detours are posted.

U.S. Route 24, Lucas and Henry counties

U.S. Route 24, from I-475 to Dutch Rd. is reduced to one lane in each direction. Various roads are closed in Lucas and Henry counties along the new alignment. Detours are posted.

SOUTHERN OHIO

U.S. Route 52, Scioto County

U.S. 52 is reduced to one lane in each direction from Portsmouth/New Boston to S.R. 522 at Wheelersburg, as well as between the S.R. 253/Greenup Dam exit and the Lawrence County line for a series of four-lane resurfacing projects. Traffic is being maintained in a minimum of one, 11-foot lane in each direction.

SOUTHWESTERN OHIO

Interstate 74, Hamilton County

Replace and widen I-74 structure over SR 128. While three lanes of traffic are open in each direction, two lanes of westbound I-74 are switched to the eastbound side of the work zone with one lane remaining on the westbound shoulder. While the permanent work zone restrictions remain in place, work is suspended over the holiday and there will be no additional lane closures.

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For more information, contact: Steve Faulkner, ODOT Press Secretary, at 614-644-7101, steve.faulkner@dot.state.oh.us or your local ODOT District Communications Office